As per the media report marine scientists are working hard to better reveal the causes and consequences of the recent marine heatwave along WA’s West Coast. To learn more about it the Department of Fisheries hold a workshop in which the participants committed to producing scientific papers and sharing information that would help researchers better understand the unusual event earlier this year that was responsible for fish, lobster and abalone deaths along the mid-west coast and in the Abrolhos, Kalbarri and Leeman areas.
Dr Dan Gaughan, acting Director of Research, said that, in some cases, these were the warmest sea temperatures ever recorded for these regions. He added that there were also significant amounts of coral bleaching along WA’s Coast.
Dr Gaughan informed that nearly 80 marine scientists and managers from around the State attended the workshop and further work is now being done on topics such as coral bleaching, oceanography and range extension of some marine species along the West and South coasts. The event was supported by the Department of Fisheries and CSIRO, to explore possible causes and effects of the ‘heatwave’ phenomenon.
He explained that an extensive patch of very warm water grew and moved southwards over several months from November 2010, before starting to dissipate in late March this year. He said it caused rare sights, like the appearance of some unusual species, such as whale sharks and Spanish mackerel, in waters off our Southern coastline. He told that the scientists now have a better idea of the review process and they will be working together in the coming months to ensure details around the marine heatwave are properly recorded.
